Mrs. Cheeseburger, Baltimore, MD/State College, PAAge and Occupation: 25, Medical StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Medical StudentEngagement Date: June 28, 2008Wedding Date: March 2010Venue: Catholic Church Ceremony & Hotel ReceptionAbout Me: I'm a passionate girl from Pittsburgh, currently living in Baltimore for school, who loves Penn State, seeing movies, football, thunderstorms, black and white photos, Christmas, good beer, my amazing friends and family, and of course, my mister! We met, fell in love, got engaged, and will be married at our alma mater (go lions!) in a traditional Catholic ceremony followed by a hotel reception with lots of DIY details. It means so much to have our families and friends meet at our favorite place on earth to celebrate our love for one another - I truly couldn't ask for anything more!
Unless you live under a rock or, OK, anywhere not in the Northeast, you probably know about the enormous snow storm that hit us this weekend. While Burger and I were lucky in that we did not lose power, had nowhere to go this weekend, and live within walking distance of lots of bars, restaurants, hotels, stores and hospitals, a lot of other people were not so lucky. We were able to have fun with this weekend of snow, but for those without power and who are stranded and getting cabin fever (like my poor parents in the ’Burgh), we’re praying for you!
Take a look at what we woke up to Saturday morning:
Not our car, but I feel terrible for whoever owns it!
Mrs. Sewing, San Mateo, CA/Honolulu, HIAge and Occupation: 24, Electrical EngineerFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Electrical EngineerEngagement Date: June 27, 2009Wedding Date: July 2010Venue: Anela Garden Chapel & Japanese Cultural Center, HonoluluAbout Me: I'm an easily entertained, compulsive idea-scheming machine who loves good art, good food, and a good engineering challenge. I'm planning a half-destination wedding on the beautiful island of Oahu - imagine a plethora of movies, art and games; savory Hawaiian food; blended Chinese and Japanese cultural details; lush, fragrant tropical flowers and all the air conditioning a NorCal native could want! And once I marry the love of my life, we'll come back to the 'mainland' to party it up all over again in my hometown of Salinas, the salad-bowl capital of the world!
To be honest, I don’t know all that much about the business of flying. I’ve been on a plane only a handful of times, none of which ever required booking a ticket for myself. So for someone who intends on flying multiple people to Hawaii, the learning curve is steep. But I’ll ride that wave.
We’ll start with a lessons-learned from my “experience” booking the flight to Oahu for our scouting trip. I’ll put the process in bulleted form for simplified reading, though it’ll probably still be confusing.
Mr. Sewing and I for sure, were going. Then I thought it might be nice to take my parents too, as sort of an early 25th anniversary present. Not content at that, my parents decided they wanted my siblings to come as well. So, six people flying to Hawaii would not be so bad, eh?
Well, my carrier of choice (Hawaiian) listed zero flights for the day after Christmas on their main website. Sold out? Mr. Sewing told me no, but the flight would have to be bought through an online travel agency since it was semi-late in the game.
Screaming over crazy prices ensued. Did it really cost over 800 dollars to fly during a holiday? Apparently.
Mrs. Buttons, Clearwater, FLAge and Occupation: 24, "Working on it"Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Financial ServicesEngagement Date: June 13, 2009Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Carlouel Yacht ClubAbout Me: I'm a self proclaimed perfectionist and a professional nomad (seriously, I've lived in TX, WI, MI, FL, NC, and now VA!). I love wine, cooking, curling up with a good book (nerd alert!), spoiling the furbaby, and of course, the wonderful Mr. Buttons! We are planning a lighthearted and whimsical wedding (with a good deal of DIY projects) in Clearwater, Florida, but from a distance of 800 miles away! We are looking forward to sharing our day with our family and friends, and most importantly, starting our lives together as husband and wife!
Miss Gingham, Portland, ORAge and Occupation: 27, Creative ProducerFiance's Age and Occupation: 32, MerchantEngagement Date: September 10, 2009Wedding Date: September 2010Venue: The Barn at Neocoxie CreekAbout Me: I grew up in Washington State and moved to Portland, OR after college (Go Cougs). I work for a rather large sport and fitness company as a Creative Producer where I spend my days bringing stories, athletes and products to life in the digital arena. It was at this company (and actually in the same department), that I met my fiance. We’ve been happily together as a couple for almost 2 years and friends for almost 3. We have a 2 year old Yellow Lab/German Sheppard Mix (he’s gigantic), and live together in our 1940s house that we bought together a little over a year ago. When not at work, you can find me in the gym or on the trails, reading a good book, enjoying Oregon Microbrews, learning how to remodel an old house, trying to acquire a green thumb, figuring out how to cook, watching football and basketball, or doing anything “outdoorsy” – camping, hiking, boating. By the way, I absolutely love country music, cowboy boots, bon fires, small towns, and in general, anything "country", which is why we're planning a down-home, casual, country-themed wedding in an 100 year old barn in the small coastal town where my fiance grew up.
So - you want to know how we met? Here you go - I LOVE telling this story.
One August day in 2007, I saw an email come in from a director on our team announcing a new team member to the group named Mr. Gingham. It said Gingham was moving back to Oregon from Florida. He liked to surf, was from the coast, loved the Oregon State Beavers, etc. I told my roommate at the time (and now a bridesmaid) that “this guy should be my boyfriend” (and of course, made her read the email too). Even though she probably dismissed it as some far-fetched idea, she did humor me enough to “stalk” Mr. Gingham on MySpace that night (yes, I admit, I had a MySpace account but that’s back when it was cooler than Facebook).
In our digital sleuthing, I found out that Mr. G had a girlfriend but was also thoroughly impressed that his profile song was sung by Rascal Flatts, and since you already know I love country music, you know that this was a big deal to me. A few days later I met Mr. Gingham in person. I was sharing an office in one of the buildings on campus and Mr. G’s manager brought him around to meet the team. He was wearing a pink shirt (remember this when you read about our proposal) and I thought to myself, “man, he is cute” but then, knowing that he had a girlfriend, went along with my normal life.
This “normal” life stayed pretty normal until March 2008. Read more…
Mrs. Piglet, Virginia/OahuAge and Occupation: 28, ConsultantFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Entrepreneur/Fashion Apparel Wholesale ImporterEngagement Date: June 22, 2008Wedding Date: August 2009Venue: Ceremony at the Lanikuhonua Phase II private estate, reception at a historic hotel in WaikikiAbout Me: I'm an East Coast gal with intense road rage and an addiction to romantic comedies, fast food, gadgets, Korean BBQ, and my wiener dog George aka Georgia May. I carry mustard packets in my purse and I love perusing the aisles at discount stores. A self proclaimed shopaholic, I impulsively buy electronics, software, and craft tools; none of which I know how to use. I'm excited to dust
these babies off and immerse myself in DIY projects galore in
preparation for our DW in paradise!
While us girls were getting ready at the hotel closer to the ceremony site, the boys were back in Waikiki at the Westin Moana Surfrider. Mr Piglet spent his last night of singledom with his two little brothers and his best man. It was low key according to the Mr, but I’m sure they squeezed in a few celebratory glasses of scotch with friends also staying at the hotel.
The day kicked off at 8 for the boys. When his groomsmen arrived, Mr Piglet welcomed them with a bouncy hug much like I did with my girls. Heehee, kidding. I think they did some macho handshake, chest bump, and man hug… likely followed by, “Dude, you ready?”
As the boys settled in, Mr Piglet stepped onto the balcony, which extended over the ocean, and was greeted with this view. A wedding in Hawaii/rainbow shot over the ocean… real original! But beautiful, nonetheless.
Mrs. Penguin, Northern CaliforniaAge and Occupation: 27, Weddingbee Editor in ChiefFiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Doctor of Physical TherapyEngagement Date: January 29, 2007Wedding Date: June 7, 2008Blogging Since: September 14, 2007Venue: Winery in the Gold CountryAbout Me: I love the Spice Girls, dogs with underbites, bean burritos, making messes, high fives, avoiding showers, crossword puzzles, blogs, weddings, and blogs about weddings!
Hi hive! We’ve rolled out a great new feature that we hope you’ll all really love: Master Profiles! Now when you click on a username or pull up a profile, you’ll notice some huge new changes!
Not only will you see your profile, but also sub-navigation of a user’s profile, where you can easily access their bio, boards activity, classifieds activity, DIY they’ve posted, and gallery pictures they’ve uploaded. This should make navigating your profile easier than ever! Read more…
Mrs. D'orsay, Baltimore/Lancaster UKAge and Occupation: 24, nonprofit communications Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Web site developer and designer; co-owner of men's skincare shopEngagement Date: August 10, 2008Wedding Date: August, 2009Venue: Oakland ManorAbout Me: I'm a Maryland raised environmental policy wonk/activist/organizer and communications aficionado. In the past year I've lived in Baltimore, MD, Tucson, AZ, Miami, FL and Lancaster, England. In my not so spare time I enjoy planning trips with Mr. D' Orsay, visiting friends and family and crafting like a mo-fo. I also enjoy modern dance classes, rugby and soccer but have been banned by my mother, MOHs, and Mr. D' Orsay from playing till after the wedding. I have an unnatural addiction to cheese and shoes, but love Mr. D' Orsay more than either and can't wait to become Mrs. D' Orsay!
After our sleepover Mrs. Avocado graciously offered to wake up early go with me to get my manicure. I’m dangerous with my nails, which is why I waited ’til the morning of the wedding to have them done. I was starving and I desperately wanted a Bagel Bin Bagel, and thank goodness for Avo, because otherwise I would have skipped breakfast saying I needed something healthy and there wasn’t enough time to make it. Avocado said it was okay to have a bagel, and so I did. So, between the carb flood and the manicure, I was beginning to calm down ever so slightly.
Why was I so on edge? I was already hyped from the night before, and on top of that the weather report called for rain. RAIN. I was in panic mode. In fact, I couldn’t stop getting upset about the weather. My reaction to stress is to cry, and on your wedding day, it’s just a really bad idea to cry so much. I also felt sick. Tears and nausea are not the best way to start the best day of your life.
All the guys met up with Mr. D to play 9 holes the morning of the wedding. The ladies? We all met at my mother’s house to hang out and be beautified by Mindy (hair) and Lori (make up). We ordered lunch, prayed for sunny skies, and BM Rachel and I ran out to get a larger pot for the cactus. Jenna woke up (she took a nap ’cause she’s preggggers!) after the British ladies had headed back to their hotel to finish getting ready. It was so nice to have all the women from both sides of the family there to get ready together. Enough talk though, here are some photos! Read more…
Mrs. Spaniel, Los AngelesAge and Occupation: 28, Law StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, PsychologistWedding Date: March 2010Venue: Calamigos RanchAbout Me: I'm a third-year law student trying to balance graduating with starting my career, keeping up a relationship, and, oh yeah, planning an Old World, multi-cultural, "mountain lodge" wedding for 180 guests! A South Asian Jewish girl getting ready to marry my handsome Catholic Dane, I'm hoping to blend our cultures in our wedding just a bit more gently than by providing samosas as appetizers and offering æbleskiver for dessert. (Although that would also be awesome.)
In fact, in (one of) my dream wedding(s), dessert is actually a scoop or two of gelato. But Mr. Spaniel loves him some cake (and really, I think, so do most people), and it is a wedding, so I put on my research hat (what? I like hats) and looked for inspiration!
I got the idea pretty early on that I wanted a mehndi-styled cake, and there was no shortage of beautiful inspiration! Read more…
Ms. Potato Chips, Boston/Narragansett RIAge and Occupation: 29, PhD StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Personal Trainer/Business Owner/Physical Therapy AssistantEngagement Date: January 1, 2009Wedding Date: June 2010Venue: The Narragansett TowersAbout Me: A semi-professional bookworm, if I could be a literary character I’d be a cross between Jo March and Jane Eyre, only better accessorized and much lazier. My hobbies include sleeping in, seasonal brews, running, Trader Joe’s, and watching Unwrapped and Good Eats with Mr. Potato Chips. I harbor an irrational fear of tulle, crafts, things that are fussy, and overuse of the phrase "Your Special Day". After a year or seven together, down the aisle we go, slouching toward adulthood and planning a Rhodie party with equal parts whimsy, cheer, and pizza.
Full disclosure: I have unrealistic expectations for a honeymoon. Yes, it is true. I have a glossy-magazine, idealized, Brady-Bunched, Hollywed, Sweet-Valley-Highed, milked-and-honeyed version of ~THE HONEYMOON~ somehow lasered into my brain, and I can’t get rid of it.
In my bubble of a world, honeymoons are a time of splendor and serendipity. No one loses their wallet or forgets to pack a toothbrush. There are no sunburns, no hangovers, no bumping of flights or overbooking of rooms. No transportation or logistical issues, no There’s-no-vegetarian-option/guess-it’s-bread-for-dinner, no seaweed or jellyfish or I-think-I-have-a-cold-coming-ons. In other words, no reality. Is that too much to ask for? A little bit? Are you sure?
Instead, I imagine a suitcase packed by the editors of InStyle with floaty dresses, sarongs, Nicole-Richie-sized sunglasses, and a big straw hat.
Mrs. Mouse, AustinAge and Occupation: 25, Weddingbee Editor/AttorneyFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Civil EngineerEngagement Date: December 19, 2007Wedding Date: September 2009Venue: Barr MansionAbout Me: I just graduated from law school and will be taking the bar, getting married, going on a honeymoon with my guy, and then trying to figure out what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. I was born and raised in a small East Texas town, but I'm no country girl! I'm obsessed with British accents, fantasy (including Harry Potter, of course), and classic rock. My fiance and I consider ourselves both music and beer snobs--but every once in awhile we love to hear a crappy band and drink a cheap brew or two. We're planning an eco-friendly, casual, English garden affair for the end of summer, and we can't wait for it to get here!
Before I reveal the big surprise from our reception dinner, I’d like to take a moment to share with you one of my favorite aspects of our wedding: the dinner music. The Dude and I had a very strong vision for what we wanted our guests to hear as they munched down on the yummy organic food, and it wasn’t your typical wedding music. No Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra, or Motown in sight (not that we don’t chill to some Marvin Gaye or Al Green when the time is right). Instead, we wanted music that set a dreamy mood. For us, that meant fuzzy guitars, minor keys, shoegaze, local artists, indie bands, and a few unexpected classics. We didn’t pay attention to lyrics—at all.
I’d love to share the whole playlist with you guys at this time, as it’s something I’m very proud of.
Mrs. Pug, New York City/Half Moon Bay, CAAge and Occupation: 33, LawyerFiance's Age and Occupation: 32, dittoEngagement Date: July 2008Wedding Date: March 2010Venue: Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon BayAbout Me: The Mr. and I are two 30-somethings who enjoy tasty sweets of all kinds, our neighborhood wine store, and cuddling with our pug. NYC is where we live and the city we love, but we’re doing the deed out in Northern California. We are trying to keep the affair small, intimate, and manageable. Our motto is: the less people, the better! (I’m kidding.)
Different families have certain activities/traditions that they enjoy together, and my family likes… to drink together (moderately, of course)! Our motto is: The family that drinks together, stays together!*
I know, it’s not very active or creative, but we really do enjoy a nice cocktail/bubbly/munchie hour before sitting down to a big homemade dinner (courtesy of my sister and her kitchen b#tch (me)).
Family time for us is filled with scenes like this:
(my brother in law, becoming a true member of the family)
Mrs. Hot Wings, Chicago/San DiegoAge and Occupation: 28, ProfessorFiance's Age and Occupation: 32, InstructorEngagement Date: December 20, 2008Wedding Date: August 2010Venue: Ocean View Villas/Jasmine Seafood RestaurantAbout Me: I am a psychology grad student living in Chicago and planning my wedding to a fellow psych grad student. I am a Sunny So-Cal bred gal who trudged across the country to follow her love of psychology and ended up finding a partner in the process. I am overly passionate about anything I involve myself with. I am an activist, a foodie, a reality TV watching junkie, an over-analyzer, a photography obsesser, and am utterly cheesy to the core. This is a story of what happens when a boy and a girl meet, fall in love over academic dorkiness, and a shared love for life. We (mostly I) are planning our semi-destination wedding in my hometown of San Diego. We are excited to bring our families and friends together from across our lifespans to celebrate our future in a grand 400+ person culturally blended affair!
A reason to want rain? Well, most people want sunny days and blue skies. And others who are obsessed with pictures (guilty as charged) want cool pictures with umbrellas. I totally understand the hassle and tension that having a rainy day might bring, but I think this set of pictures should ease your concerns a little. You can make the most of your day, regardless of the weather. You may miss the sunny pictures, but you’ll covet these rainy day pictures that sunny day brides cannot have.
Mrs. Pretzel, SeattleAge and Occupation: 32 Learning, Training, and Development SpecialistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28 Manufacturing EngineerEngagement Date: September 2, 2009Wedding Date: July 2010Venue: Catholic Church & The Engine Room at Georgetown StudiosAbout Me: I’m just a thirty-something girl who never dreamed of weddings, poofy dresses, or ritzy receptions. I am a rabid knitter, except recently, wedding projects have replaced my yarn and needles. I’ve been fiercely independent since the age of 2 and 30 years later I think my family and friends had given up on me settling down and getting married.
Ironically, I had to go all the way to Seattle to find a boy from Purdue. We fell in love over Seattle Beers and cooking together. I love NASCAR, he loves Legos. I can talk like a Muppet and he can fit a whole McDonald’s cheeseburger in his mouth. We are a two reception couple, currently planning a brewery inspired bash.
When I started to pull together my vision of our centerpieces I had three distinct elements in mind. It took a little time for these to gel into an integrated idea.
Like Miss Pencils, I’ve got a hankering to use ribbon on our tables. I blame credit Martha in all her wonderfulness. I saw this image in Martha Stewart Weddings and knew I must create a lattice out of ribbon. Thanks, Martha.
Mrs. Poodle, Santiago, Chile/San Bernardino, CAAge and Occupation: 27, Industrial & Web DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Firefighter & Mountain PatrolEngagement Date: February 25, 2009Wedding Date: January 2010Venue: Mr. P's Grandparents’ RanchAbout Me: I’m a Chilean girl who's crazy about nature and swimming. I enjoy carving, drawing, reading and sewing; I drool over computers, fabric, pretty paper, purple and patterns. To me, chocolate should be one of the seven wonders, right next to lemon pie. I never thought an exchange work experience program was going to change my life forever, but while working in California, I met Mr. Poodle, and ever since my days are better and brighter. We are two goofy souls that, after finding each other, couldn’t help but want to be together forever. It has being a long and sometimes hard road, since we have to deal with such a long distance between us, but we are now facing the last stage of our Fiancé Visa, and soon we will be together. You know the best part? We will be married! So I’ll be blogging from Chile until just a few months before our “green and purple” wedding.
So I already gave you all a small sneak peek of our invitations (the envelopes) and how we finally got to transform brochures into our booklet Invitations. I also shared how hard it was to let them go, because it was a TRUE labor of love, and took LOTS of hours of work.
And finally, the time has come! Let me introduce you to the Poodles’ invitations! ♥
(click on images to enlarge)
Here you can see the envelope and the front and back of the invitation (each envelope only has one; I put both of them there just so I could show it all together).
Not our car, but I feel terrible for whoever owns it!
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
